CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 29 May 1902, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal.

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS,

“ The Times ” states that the Boers desire fuller explanations or further concessions, which are substantial grounds for hope. It would be premature to assume that immediate agreement on all the chief points is within sight; Fouche’s commando was attacked because it refused to send a representative to the Vereeniging Conference. Everything is in readiness for an unusually vigorous campaign if the peace negotiations fail. A number of Boers assembled in Market Square, Pretoria, on Saturday, expecting the declaration of peace. The Daily Mail" declares that nothing can stand in the way of peace. It is expected the Government will make in the House of Commons on Tuesday an announcement showing that it has satisfactorily and inflexibly maintained the British position. The " NeuS Freie Presse," in an artfcla rejoicing at the prospects of peace, admits that the world must thank England for leadiug the way for three centuries in all the great achievements in politics, economics and culture. The tone of the German newspapers is more friendly generally towards England. Large speculative purchases of British consols are being made in New York. COLONIAL CONTRIBUTIONS. A contributed article in the " Daily News ’’ argues that Australia ought to offer twenty-nine millions and Canada thirty millions towards the cost of the war, w hich had amounted altogether to £238,000,000. AN INVALIDED NEW ZEALANDER. Captain Markham, of the Sixth New Zealand Regiment, has been invalided to England. A BURIED GUN. The British have unearthed a Krupp gun at Heilbron, in the north of Orange River Colony. MISCELLANEOUS. Surgeon-Captain Baywell and Lieutenant Taplin, New Zealanders, are convalescent, and have resumed duty., Commandant Visagie and his commando have surrendered at Balmoral. Mr Brodrick, Secretary for War, states that twenty thousand troops have been despatched to South Africa during the last six weeks. Mr Seddon, speaking at a banquet at Pretoria, expressed a hope that the blockhouses in South Africa would soon be turned into creameries and butteries. 1 Latest. General De Wet and De la Rey are siili in Pretoria. General Sohalk Burger and other delegates have returned to Vereeniging. The British Cabinet meets to-day to consider some financial claims advanced by the Boers. The Boers in Brussel* allege the British Cabinet has again refused to permit the peace delegates to consult the European delegates. Mr Bennett Burleigh, the war correspondent, says De Wet has realised that a great nation will not stoop to pettifogging prosecutions for offences committed against the Crowa during the turbulence of warfare, and , has exerted himself to the utmost to put the peace conditions honourably before his countrymen. He has severed himself from the malign influences of Steyn and Hertzog. Reuter’s Pretoria correspondent says the optimism in regard to peace is hardly justified by the solid facts. The protraction of negotiations is not necessarily a hopeful sign- Though the delegates have abandoned their claim to independence, still there are many points of difference which may at any moment become accentuated, thus causing a rupture. It is understood that the King, in a message to Parliament, will announce the proclamation of peace when it is settled. COUNTING THE COST. The Times states that a high authority in the South African constabulary estimates the cost of rebuilding the burnt farms at £15,000,000. The Budget debate has been postponed, Mr Balfour stating it would be inconvenient to discuss it While things are in the balance. This statement is interpreted to mean the possible reduction of new taxation it peace is proclaimed.